The big hurdle that they have to clear now is figuring out when he would move back “Live by Night” in the production schedule since Warners wants the film to get off the ground in a timely way given the success of “Argo.” Sources say the two sides are trying to get production up and running for “Gone Girl” in the fall so Affleck could jump into directing “Live by Night” in January.

Fincher would direct the adaptation of the the Gillian Flynn novel that has sold 2 million copies.

Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea will produce through their Pacific Standard banner along with Leslie Dixon.

Flynn’s third novel, “Gone Girl” is the dark and suspenseful story of a woman who disappears on the day of her fifth wedding anniversary. It’s not known if Witherspoon would be interested in starring as the mysterious wife. Affleck would play the husband who is initially suspected of having a role in his wife’s disappearance.

A bidding war ensued last summer when the book, which spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, was offered to studios, and Fox paid seven figures to outbid studios including Universal.

Affleck is repped by WME and can be seen next in the New Regency and Fox film “Runner Runner.”

HORRIBLE choice. He’s too old. And not good looking enough. Nick is supposed to be preppy-model beautiful. Plus Ben Affleck is overused–can’t they get someone we haven’t seen 1000 times? Same goes for Reese Witherspoon.

HORRIBLE choice. He’s too old. And not good looking enough. Nick is supposed to be preppy-model beautiful. Plus Ben Afgleck overused–can’t they get someone we haven’t seen 1000 times? Same goes for Reese Witherspoon.

Some great stuff in the book but for a movie they really need to write an actual ending instead of leaving the audience hanging. The book just dropped the ball with that ending that ruined it for many people.

I really loved this book. I think Affleck will be fine. I hope Reese does not play Amy though. Amy Adams would be a much better choice. I’ve also just finished this book http://amzn.to/1b6kH4j, which has similar traits to Gone Girl. I give it a couple of years and it will also be made into a big film I reckon.